The Mighty Victory of Christ’s Power and Holiness

 “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Paul was revealed, “I’m so happy when I think of you, because everyone knows the testimony of your deep commitment of faith. So I want you to become scholars of all that is good and beautiful, and stay pure and innocent when it comes to evil. And the God of peace will swiftly pound satan to a pulp under your feet! And the wonderful favor of our Lord Jesus will surround you.”  God’s holiness is powerful as the psalmist says, “Sing a new song to the Lord telling about His mighty deeds! For He has won a mighty victory by His power and holiness.” This victory came to us when God declared His Son our Lord Jesus Christ with power according to His Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  For all those who believe in the finished sacrifice of Christ, through our God we will do valiantly, for it is He who treads down our enemies.  Let’s lead a life of the obedience of Christ that produces holiness in us that bruises satan under our feet.  May the grace of God bring us to that overcoming faith that brings us victory always.  Amen!

Jesus is Salvation Whose Fruit is Righteousness

 “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “I create light, and I make it dark. I make bliss, and I create adversity. I Am YAHWEH Who does all these things.’ “Shower down righteousness, O heavens above. Let the clouds drip with deliverance! Let earth’s womb open and bear salvation’s fruit, with righteousness rising up beside it! I, YAHWEH, have created all of them!”  God is light and God is peace or ‘shalom’ which means so much more than calm and order - it is translated prosperity, bliss, wholeness, completeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.  Shalom comes from a root verb which means to be complete, perfect and paid in full.  Salvation is the same word as Yeshua or Jesus and its fruit is righteousness blossoming with mercy.  Let’s know the magnitude of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us.  “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross.”  Amen!

Let’s Glorify God Always

 “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul said, “And I will not be presumptuous to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me. For many non-Jewish people are coming into faith’s obedience by the power of the Spirit of God, which is displayed through mighty signs and amazing wonders, both in word and deed. Starting from Jerusalem I went from place to place as far as the distant Roman province of Illyricum, fully preaching the wonderful message of Christ.”  The apostle Paul thoroughly preached the good news with much evidence that God was working through him.  This resulted in many non-Jewish people coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  The signs and wonders were a part of the message, validating Paul’s apostolic mandate to evangelise and plant churches.  Paul zealously preached the Gospel all the way to Illyricum, the Roman province in part of the western Balkan Peninsula, now known as Croatia.  Paul knew that all glory belonged to God for the signs, wonders and miracles, and was not due to anything in him, in fact he asked for prayers for himself from the churches he had planted and the believers who had come to Christ through him.  He refused to be exalted in the eyes of others, that’s the nature of a true apostle.  Let’s not take the credit for what God is doing and how He is working but know to always give glory to God.  Amen!

Our Everlasting God

 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭44‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “The words of YAHWEH, Israel’s true King and Kinsman-Redeemer, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, says: “I Am the Beginning and I Am the Ending, and I Am the only God there is. Who is like Me?  Go ahead, stand and speak up. I’ll wait for him to announce it and explain it all to Me!  Who else has announced from everlasting what is to come? Let him prophesy what is yet to be.”  God says that He is the First and He is the Last - the Everlasting.  This is the revelation that Isaiah got that this Everlasting God has made an Everlasting Covenant through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who through His Everlasting Kindness has given us Everlasting Salvation through the Cross, in His death, burial and resurrection.  Now He is seated in Everlasting Majesty having given Everlasting Joy to all who believe in Him.  His Everlasting Name is the Everlasting Sign of His Everlasting Light.  Let us rejoice in our God Who is forever and ever, and we His people will reign with Him forever.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Only Judge

 “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul explained, “Who do you think you are to sit in judgment of someone else’s household servant? His own master is the one to evaluate whether he succeeds or fails. And God’s servants will succeed, for God’s power supports them and enables them to stand. In the same way, one person regards a certain day as more sacred than another, and another person regards them all alike. There is nothing wrong with having different personal convictions about such matters.”  We are all “household servants” in the Body of Christ for we each belong to Him.  When believers begin to judge other believers over our opinions or preferences, we are taking the role that belongs only to Jesus.  Every human being justifies himself through his own perspective.  Jesus said clearly, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  “Stop judging based on the superficial. First you must embrace the standards of mercy and truth.”  Paul explains, “So resist the temptation to pronounce premature judgment on anything before the appointed time when all will be fully revealed. Instead, wait until the Lord makes His appearance, for He will bring all that is hidden in darkness to light and unveil every secret motive of everyone’s heart. Then, when the whole truth is known, each will receive praise from God.”  Instead of judging, let’s learn to surrender to the Holy Spirit Who guides us into all truth and helps us make righteous judgments.  Amen!

Faith in Christ is Tested to Come Out as Gold

 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬-‭3‬a KJV‬‬

Isaiah gives God’s promise, “When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on Me to be there with you. When you pass through raging rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I Am your Savior, YAHWEH, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel!”  God’s method of deliverance is often not “out of” but “through”.  His Presence as we go through difficulties becomes our deliverance.  That was David’s experience as he sang psalms to God in worship, “Even when Your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for You already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of Your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for You are near.”  Although Isaiah spoke this from God to Israel, in the new covenant, God desires our faith in Him to be refined through our trials, tribulations and persecutions.  As Peter put it, “The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again.”  May our faith come out as gold.  Amen!

Put On the Lord Jesus Christ

 “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭10‬-‭11‬, ‭14‬. KJV

Paul’s revelation was, “Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires. To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Instead fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.” God is love and no human can generate this love.  This love has come to mankind through the Cross of Jesus Christ and thereafter by the Holy Spirit, right into the human heart - that is true righteousness - and it only works by faith.  “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.”  God’s love brings us to the perfect wholeness, which is the full salvation ready to be unveiled in the last days.  Let’s put on the Lord Jesus and be fully clothed with Him, being in God’s love - let’s practice this great and awesome love.  Amen!

Delighting in Our Servant-King

 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “Take a good look at My Servant! I love Him dearly, for He is My Chosen One. I have taken hold of Him in My strength, and I have clothed Him with My Spirit. He will cause justice to spring up for the nations. He will be gentle and will not quarrel with others in public. He will not exalt His own Voice. He would never crush a broken heart nor disregard the weak and vulnerable. He will make sure justice comes to those who are wronged.”  Isaiah introduces the Lord Jesus as the Chosen Servant of God, sustained by Yahweh, sent on a divine mission to bring light and freedom to the hearts of His covenant people.  Jesus is God’s Faithful and Chosen Servant Who brings salvation to the nations and restores Israel; Whom God upholds by His strength and on Whom He has placed His Spirit.  God’s delight is in Him.  God said that of Jesus, “This is My Son—the Beloved! My greatest delight is in Him.”  Let’s delight in our Messiah.  Amen!

Our Proper Response to God’s Marvellous Mercies

 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s revelation was, “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes.”  Out of all that God has created in the universe, the most intimate connection He has is with mankind who have chosen to be in Christ.  In the new covenant, the sacrificial system no longer involves dead animals, but living people.  We are not called to accommodate ourselves to the opinions, desires and interests of others because as a living sacrifice we died Christ’s death and are now alive to God.  We are called to be led by the Holy Spirit as we meditate on God’s Word because it reveals His will.  Let’s be obedient to God’s good, acceptable and perfect will.  Amen!

We Keep Our Gaze on the Risen & Victorious Christ

 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV

Isaiah prophesied God’s promise, “Do not yield to fear, for I Am always near. Never turn your gaze from Me, for I Am your faithful God. I will infuse you with My strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with My Victorious Right Hand.’”  The Hebrew for “Don’t be frightened” also means “to gaze”.  These are the same words that Moses said to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”  In the new covenant, we gaze at Jesus risen and victorious in all His power and glory, ready to help us when we call upon Him because He loves us more than His Life.  Let’s receive His love.  Amen!